Jeff Parker: Comics, Like Lightning!

Interview by Owen Craig

Jeff Parker is quickly becoming one of Marvel’s top writers. After cutting his teeth on all-ages titles like Marvel Adventures: Avengers and X-Men: First Class he broke out with the fan favourite Agents of Atlas title. In the last year he has started what I hope are long runs on Hulk and Thunderbolts. He’s also known for his work on creator-owned titles like Interman, Underground and Mysterius: The Unfathomable. A few months ago he and popular artist Erika Moen launched a webcomic called Bucko, which can be viewed at http://www.buckocomic.com/

MONDO: Were you brought the current concept for Thunderbolts (Luke Cage running the team out of The Raft) or did you come up with it?

Parker: That was being kicked around at the offices before I came onto the book. At first I was concerned that it would be set in the prison too much, but once it was clear that I could have them on lots of exotic missions, I was fine with it. I like it as a home base.

MONDO: Were there any characters you were looking for but couldn’t get on the team?

Parker: I know there must have been, but now I can’t remember. Once I got Man-Thing, I was so happy it didn’t matter!

MONDO: Anyone exciting coming up that you can expect?

Parker: Yes, a big guy I’ve wanted to write for a while. Wait and see.

MONDO: You’ve done a couple of character one-shots (Ghost, Man-Thing), are you planning more (I really like them)?

Parker: Yes. The readership seems happy with the occasional focus on one team member, so we’ll be having more.

MONDO: There’s been a lot of talk about Kev Walker’s work on the title. Is he someone you brought onto the project or was he assigned to you? What about his work makes him a perfect fit for this title?

Parker: He was brought in by the editor, and what a happy day that was. He’s like Mike Mignola and Jamie Hewlett got trapped in the Hadron Collider and out emerged this dynamic artist with strong storytelling skills and opinions. And while Frank Martin colors anyone well, I think he and Kev just hit that sweet spot that art teams rarely do- it just looks so perfect every issue. Kev suggests great story points and directions constantly, and I listen because I’m not stupid. Working with him is a real privilege for me.

MONDO: We’ve seen a lot of short runs on this title. Are you on for the long-haul?

Parker: I hope so. I’m having a fine old time. I feel like we’ve all synced into one of those runs that you remember fondly and I want it to be a nice sized one.

MONDO: With Hulk you’re stepping into some pretty big shoes on this title. How much are you trying to stay in line with what Jeph Loeb set up and how much are you trying to go your own way?

Parker: There’s no point in repeating what Loeb has already achieved with the book- he and Ed pulled off the hardest hat trick of all in this era of comics, introducing a new character and making him stick. My tack is to now use Hulk to approach these kinds of stories from different angles, like we’re going to see the birth of a super-villain and how she becomes a force to reckon with.

MONDO: In Jeph Loeb’s Hulk the Red Hulk wasn’t the most likeable character – attacking heroes and making sexist remarks – it seems like you’re looking to rehabilitate. Is this something you’re doing consciously?

Parker: I don’t mean to make him likable as much as compelling. I want him to differ from the reader and the reader understand why and still want to follow him. I don’t think we have to relate to him to want to see what he’ll do in a situation.

MONDO: Gabriel Hardmann is someone you’ve collaborated with before. Are you trying to keep him to yourself so that no one else gets to work with him?

Parker: Well, yes.

MONDO: Is it gratifying to see him getting all this attention for Hulk?

Parker: Yes again! Hardman is a major talent who can pull off anything he attempts. Every issue he draws works as a lesson for a studying artist and storyteller. He gets mood, energy, locale, humour – all of these things he makes look simple and you know they’re far from it.

MONDO: You’ve been very clear about wanting to build up a rogue’s gallery for Red Hulk. In your opinion what makes for a good rogue’s gallery?

Parker: I think the most important is that none of these threats see themselves as evil, they’re the good guys in their minds. I like a little complexity. Or, stark simplicity as in the case of The Omegex, who will be showing up this summer.

MONDO: Do you love or hate when people call him “Rulk”?

Parker: I don’t mind, but I was urged to avoid using it myself!

MONDO: Moving on to Bucko, what made you want to take on a web-comic at this point in your career?

Parker: Erika thought we should do it. And it gives me a place to tell stories that would completely not fit in Marvel comics, and also to work at the discipline of the format designed to deliver a daily punch. It’s ridiculous fun to do.

MONDO: What freedom does a web-comic allow that print doesn’t?

Parker: I can make changes up to hours before people see it, that’s really neat.

MONDO: How long is the planned run for Bucko?

Parker: About a year.

MONDO: How is working with Erika Moen, whom you see often (I gather, correct me if I’m wrong), different from working with your long-distance collaborators?

Parker: Well just a while ago, I wrote something kind of confusing and rather than try to explain it and possible make the problem worse, I just went to Erika’s desk and sketched out what I was going for while she ate something. That’s classic collaboration you don’t get as much these days.

MONDO: I’ve heard you refer to the story as “a dick and fart joke mystery?” – was that the mandate or did that happen organically?

Parker: Erika knows how to turn a phrase. When really I don’t think we’ve had anyone fart yet. But it gets you prepared for subject matter of an earthy nature, doesn’t it?

MONDO: What was the starting point?

Parker: My hypothetical dead-body-found-in-a-bathroom, which begs the question wouldn’t you still have to go to the bathroom. And then what would the next person to stroll in think upon seeing this sight?

MONDO: With Wildstorm folding is Mysterius: The Unfathomable dead? Is there any chance at more? Could you bring it somewhere else? (Side note: I love this book, so that question was more for me.)

Parker: I love that book too, and Tom and I want to do a lot more. It’s very tied up with DC, so they have to get the ball rolling, but we do have a story to jump into ready should that happen.

MONDO: Are you finding that your work on marquee titles is bringing attention to your indie work, such as Underground and Interman?

Parker: I think it is, but it’s still hard to tell.

MONDO: Woodgod: when are we seeing more? Soon? Please?

Parker: We’ve re-established him with a neat Ed McGuiness design, so I think he can come back any time.